CPL, MLC heads unite to advance women’s cricket, strengthen Caribbean–US collaboration

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pete Russell, and his counterpart, Johnny Grave of Major League Cricket (MLC), have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding opportunities for women’s cricket, emphasising collaboration between the Caribbean and the United States.

The duo formed part of a panel at the inaugural Cricket Impact Summit & Expo in Santa Clara, California, moderated by broadcaster, former England international, and leading advocate for the women’s game, Ebony Rainford-Brent.
The panel delivered a candid and energetic discussion on the future of T20 cricket across the United States and the Caribbean – from infrastructure and grassroots development to the growth of the women’s game, player retention, fan engagement, and the sport’s Olympic ambitions.
Russell shared CPL’s ambitions for the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), stating, “The goal is to have a USA team participate in the WCPL.”
Grave echoed this sentiment while emphasising a sustainable approach. “It’s not a case of will we do it; it’s a case of when. It’s going to be a journey – it needs to be a balance of being ambitious but not so ambitious that we’d have to put the brakes on.”
Both men agreed that the women’s game represents one of cricket’s most exciting growth frontiers – with clear potential for regional and international collaboration to accelerate its development.
With cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Grave reflected on the missed potential during the recent T20 World Cup.
“We need to ensure the LA Games is not another missed opportunity in the USA the way it was during the T20 World Cup,” he said. “The Olympics is massive in the US – and Team USA is massive in the US. The nature of T20, and particularly the tournament format, is a huge opportunity. We struggle with awareness, and this could be the springboard to get cricket to the American people. The challenge, however, is how do we convert that interest?”
Grave also highlighted the importance of inclusion in other multi-sport events such as the Pan American Games and the Commonwealth Games, which he noted could serve as catalysts for cricket’s long-term global growth.
Both men underlined that sustainable infrastructure is key to ensuring cricket’s long-term success in emerging markets.
Grave pointed to Minor League Cricket (MiLC) as a critical driver of grassroots and professional development. “The minor leagues are playing a key role. We have 26 passionate team owners investing in the game and getting communities engaged. The next step is bringing all stakeholders together – and that’s hugely exciting.”
Russell, meanwhile, spoke of CPL’s model of success through strategic partnerships, adding that the power of cricket is clear and that people are willing to invest if the right model is presented.
“For CPL, focusing on media, sponsorship, and governance has been key. It’s about ensuring we deliver for fans and for our domestic sponsors.”
The discussion also turned to the ongoing challenge of retaining talent within smaller markets, particularly in the Caribbean. Russell reiterated the need to develop and reward local players despite financial constraints.
“We have one of the lowest salary caps in the world, but there’s a glut of talent in the West Indies – we just need to make sure it’s harnessed in the right way.”
Both leaders agreed that expanding cricket’s fan base requires innovation, technology, and community-level engagement.
“There’s no silver bullet. Grassroots are obviously key – investing in schools and college programmes. But it’s going to take time,” Grave noted.
Russell added, “For us, it’s also about moving away from traditional spaces – you reach fans through mouthpieces that have influence. We have to embrace technology; that’s where it’s all going.”